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Locations of Former NIKE MISSILE SITES (text)
.
Alaska
Alaska's Cold War Nuclear Shield by Bob Raichle Former Battery Control Officer - Echo Battery

- Maps of Alaska Nike sites 56 K bytes
- A YouTube of Save Site Summit

Sites -
Fairbanks area -
2/562d(3/59-4/71)
Peter,
Mike,
Jig,
Tare,
Love
Anchorage area -
4/43d(4/59-9/72)
1/43d(9/72-5/79)
Point,
Bay,
Summit
- other -
Murphy Dome
A web site about Alaskan Nike sites


Maps of Alaska Nike sites 56 K bytes
from "Site Summit - Nike Hercules Missile Installation" June 1996
Dept of Army, 600 Richardson Drive, Ft. Richardson, Alaska 99505 (907)384-3010
floorplan for the launcher building at Alpha Battery (A/2-562 ADA), in Fairbanks. - from Chris
Text with document - "Library of Congress "Floor Plan; East Elevation; West Elevation - Nike Hercules Missile Battery, Tare Site, Launch Control Building, Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK
Digital ID: (None) hhh ak0225.sheet.00001a - http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.ak0225/sheet.00001a
Reproduction Number: HAER AK-20-A (sheet 1 of 2)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print "

also see http://www.loc.gov/search/?q=nike+missile+battery+floor+plans

Designation General Location Detailed Location (Current Status)
*** Ft. Richardson NW Anchorage
*** Ft. Wainwright, 166 Ord Co NW Fairbanks
from James Biles Jan 2013 - I remember 72 below zero; January 1, 1968 at North Pole, Alaska on the way to Fort Wainwright in my personal Jeepster with two others, to attend the Brigadier's New Year Reception under direct orders from the Battalion XO. Unbelievable stuff happens to vehicles at that temperature.JB
PETER
B Bty /2/562d
3/59-4/71
Fairbanks 15 E Eielson AFB (Abandoned; US Army Yukon Training Area)
web site

[Summary of several e-mails - (August 2015)
{Clarke, Bill} said "If I open Google Earth today and have Gallery, Google Earth Community turned on the image shows the IFC Google Earth Community icon at 64°40’38.13"N, 146°45’54.30”W. Northwest of the launcher area. Not correct."


Thomas Page says "Someone must have out-of-date information. My Google Earth .kmz file has the Nike site Peter IFC site correctly pegged at 64°39'52.87"N, 146°44'17.76"W. The remaining radar platforms are clearly visible."]

[{Biles, James} (Dec 2014) much of Bravo remains in skeletal form. Lots of concrete is left; the IFC (admin) building pad, and its radar towers (including clamshells), the launcher assembly building, LCT building, both launcher magazine buildings, and the warhead bunker. All of that is still standing. The ABAR tower is also still standing.

[{Bollinger, J} (Oct. 2003) There was a lot of clean-up for asbestos over the summer. Most of the old buildings are just foundations pads now. Images of old Clam Shell protectors for tracking radars - Side view, Quarter view.

[{Froehlich, J} (Feb. 2003) During the past several weeks, Mike and Peter sites on Eielson AFB/Ft Wainwraight have been demolished. AS of today all that remains of "B" battery are the 3 radar towers. Another reminder of the Cold War bites the dust. ]


[{Morgan, M} EWAGS on the site lat/longs: 64N56.45/147W51.40 These should get you in the ballpark. The IFCs were roughly one mile from the batteries; if you find one - like a battery/launcher site - look for the highest ground roughly one mile away and you should find the IFC. I've got some more info on the disposition of the five sites at home written by Colt Denfield; as soon as I dig it out I'll send the material along. MK]

MIKE
C Bty /2/562d
3/59-4/70
Fairbanks 10 SE Eielson AFB (Abandoned; US Army Yukon Training Area)
web site, another web site

[{Froehlich, J} (Feb. 2003) During the past several weeks, Mike and Peter sites on Eielson AFB/Ft Wainwraight have been demolished. AS of today all that remains of "B" battery are the 3 radar towers. Another reminder of the Cold War bites the dust. ]

Launcher area
[(Anonymous Contributor) July 2000, ... Nike launch buildings ... The building is relatively intact, although several of the rooms are covered in soot from extensive fires. As the constructions is mostly of concrete, there was no apparent damage to the site from the fires. Painted signs and markers are mostly still legible, including the "Bravo Banditos" logo. The steps to the sublevel were intact, though the sublevel itself was muddy, dank and had a fair amount of trash.

We also reconned the other launch building, about 100 meters away. It still had much of the air-circulation ducting and water piping, and generally had not been as thoroughly stripped. However, the steps to the sublevel were gone.

... A word of warning to potential visitors: DO NOT attempt entry to the bunkers. It is illegal, and the bunkers ARE on a military reservation.

There was a complex of 3-4 buildings, concrete/wood-frame construction, which are extensively tumbled-down. From the hinged "clamshell" doors on top, I assume these housed radar arrays. One of the towers still has the clamshell doors intact. Otherwise the site is pretty well stripped. Access to the towers is possible except for an unsupported steel ladder in one tower.

... This email is not intended to promote visitation of the launch site.]
[{Morgan, M} EWAGS on the site lat/longs: 643515/1464838 ]
[{DeMarco, P} ... We drove the car up to the missile site I was stationed at. Eleven miles up the side of a mountain on a dirt road. The site was all overgrown, but the building were still there. Not in very good shape. Very strange feeling being there after all these years. ]

JIG
D Bty /2/562d
3/59-4/70
Fairbanks 5 S Eielson AFB
web site

C -((O)
[{Bigge, M} (Nov 2006) IFC Site (the building has been completely removed but here is the most likely location based on proper distance and it being a large area that is cleared for no apparent reason.) ]

L - Explosives storage USACE
[{Bigge, M} (Nov 2006) Launcher Site (this appears to be privately owned. There are Semi rigs and a house in front of the launchers. (heh, according to google earth the road leading to this one is named "Old Site Road" )
[{Morgan, M} EWAGS on the site lat/longs: 643143/1465748 ]

TARE
A Bty /2/562d
3/59-4/71
Fairbanks 20 S Nenana ((O))
a-2-562 web site, nikealaska web site, drainfreak web site
{Babler, Roger A} “former scope dope” [April 1007] says "On the current conditions of sites the first remark puts our site destroyed in the early 60’s “Taint SO” Know a Robert Foy he served there in 1970. FYI per the 98 anniversary edition of USA Alaska puts our site the first on operational in Alaska came on line 08:00 10 May 1959. "

[{Froehlich, J} (Feb. 2003) Tare site was destroyed in the early to mid 60s. [Roger Babler suggests that "early to mid 60s" should read "early 1970s"]. It was located on Moose Creek Bluff. Mike and Peter are actually on Ft Wainwright property. ]

L - Chena River Recreation Area
{Babler, Roger A} As you know the launcher area of A/2/562 was taken over by the Corp of Engineers as HQ for the Chena River flood control project. They have built and fixed up buildings there, the Office / Visitors Center is quite a building. Our reunion in 2014 we visited the center and had a plaque installed to inform visitors of the original purpose of the buildings. While there we were served a farewell meal cooked by members of Legion Post 30 at Moose Creek AK. Credit for the plaque should be given to Paul Kulba a Nike Vet from A/2/562 who did the layout and paid for making the plaque.
[{Siegfried, William (Bill) (added Aug 2015) This is the most accessible site in the Fairbanks area. The Army Corp,of engineers use the launch area for their offices and maintenance facility associated with the Chena Lakes flood control project. The people who work here are very knowledgeable about Nike history and very friendly. Both above ground magazines are used for equipment storage and workshop areas. Stop in the main office first before wandering around. Not only as an important courtesy but there is interesting stuff to see inside. They have some displays about the flood project, a grizzly bear the project manager (not sure of proper title) shot and other displays of local interest. I understand there was a Nike reunion there in the week before my visit and the staff seemed to enjoy participating. They said there was nothing left of the old IFC area so I didn't bother to check it out personally. The park associated with this area is quiet and well kept. A nice place to visit on all accounts. Bill ]
[{Bigge, M.} (added Nov 2006) Google Earth ]
[{Freak} (added March 2004) I didn't find the IFC area, and from satellite photos it looks mostly gone. The launch bunkers have been taken over by the Army corps of engineers as storage and offices related to the Chena lakes flood control project. Here are a couple photos I was able to take of one of the bunkers (March 2004): http://freak.minimanga.com/flood/flood4.jpg http://freak.minimanga.com/flood/flood1.jpg ]

LOVE
E Bty /2/562d
3/59-4/71
Fairbanks 10 NW Fairbanks ((O) C/L)
web site
USACE
[{Siegfried, Bill} (added July 2015) Several of the surrounding dirt and gravel roads require 4 wheel drive, especially when wet. There was no evidence of Nike era construction to be seen. The area where I suspect the site was is totally overgrown with trees and brush. Totally obliterated. ]
[{Freak} (added March 2004) completely buldozed from what I can tell. I believe this satellite photo shows the former site (I attempted to drive there and got stuck in the bad roads). ]
[{Morgan, M} EWAGS on the site lat/longs: 645645/1475138 ]
POINT,
A Bty
4/59-4/79
Anchorage 10 SW Anchorage, near Anchorage International Airport
USACE - somewhere else -,
a nikealaska web site, drainfreak web site,

[{Plante, Ron} (added May 2017) Executive summary: Easy to find, all structures are intact though some have been modified.
    Driving west on Raspberry Road into Kincaid Park, the first clue is the two rocket motor magazines on the north side of the road outside the high security area. No CONUS site has anything like this, it's my theory these stored spares and/or reloads as AK was 1) far down the logistical chain but 2) darn close to the USSR.
    Continuing west is the main park area with two launchers, one is intact and well photographed, the other is now a chalet and unrecognizable.
    Directly west of the chalet is the warhead igloo, see my theory above.
    North of that are two additional launchers further into the park (walking required) and less well photographed. I checked out the southernmost of the two, the launcher rails are still intact! Even better, the crew shelter is still marked "Section 4" with missiles.
    Last time I visited (2007) the chalet was open with a small historical display. This time it was early and not open.
   Ron sent pictures of "motor magazines". Apparently unique to Alaska. Look smaller (to me) than the usual above ground missile storage magazines. Check with Ron for further information and details.
[{Page, T} (added April 2004) found web site Elmendorf Air Force Base History which says "... Site Point was turned into Kincaid Park. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail ends near there.) ...." ]
[{Freak} (added March 2004) still being turned into a disc-golf course and recreation area. The bunkers are used for storage and one was converted into a ski lodge and visitors center (July 2003). http://freak.minimanga.com/missile2.htm ]
Site POINT website by 'Juliet Tango Sierra' (His old call sign)
[{Warren, J} Btry A was a dual firing battery (4 launch structures) and is located SW of Anchorage Intl. Airport. Currently it is a cross country ski area operated by the Municipality of Anchorage. One of the launch structures has been converted to a ski lodge. The IFC area has been razed. This site was damaged during the earthquake of Mar 27, 1964 and I understand only 2 launch structures were in use from that day until the site was inactivated.]
[{Karr, D} (October 2003) I arrived in Alaska in March 1965 and assigned to the 524th Ordnance co. Ft. Richardson. The dual site was fully operation at that time with 4 launch structures. The 524th received a unit commendation for the rapid return duty of A battery. The last Alaska site was decommissioned in 1979. ]

Bay
Goose Bay
C Bty
3/59-5/79
Anchorage 20 NW Anchorage, Goose Bay
nikealaska web site, drainfreak web site,
[{Peterson,J} (July 2012) The control area now hosts a State correctional facility (all new) on the landing strip access, while the control bldgs are now part of a new waste-water treatment plant. Hmmmmm. ]
[{Freak} (added March 2004) The IFC is mostly burned, part of the concrete structure and the bases of the radar towers are still standing, and used for paintball wars by the local kids. The launch bunkers are still intact although one is missing most of the roof. Someone has attempted to seal the lower levels of the bunkers with concrete over the door (July 2003). Photos: http://freak.minimanga.com/bay/]
[{Warren, J} Btry C is located across Knik Arm at Goose Bay. The state of Alaska owns this property and used the IFC area briefly in the mid-80's as a correctional facility. The launch area has been fenced off and is in reasonably good shape. The last time I visited there, the dog pens and dog training apparatus was still there. As were the guard towers. I have a map which shows the layout of the roads and buildings, but does leave out a few explosive bunkers. ]

[{Kerns, T} We had a landing strip next to the IFC area. ]

L
[{Peterson,J} (July 2012) The Univ of Alaska controls access to the laucher area and we could not get to it. I have seen satellite imagery of the location, and there isn't much left anymore. ]
[{Plante, Ron } (June 2017) The S Knik - Goose Bay Road is paved all the way to the airstrip, S Cameo Drive westbound to the site is a few hundred yards north of the strip. I did not get near the launchers, but I'm certain I was real close to the IFC area.
     S Cameo is a gravel road but is doable in dry weather. At the first fork (with signs) a left will take you to the IFC area just NW of the airstrip, but Bing aerials show it has been demolished. I could not confirm.
Continuing on S Cameo the second fork has a right turn presumably to the launcher area, but there are BIG rocks blocking that road. The road to the left was so bad I backed out - in a 4WD SUV - after 100 yards.
     I went solo and never ventured far from the vehicle, but anyone who visits Site Bay should follow the two man rule, no one should wander on foot alone. I also suggest hard copy maps and aerials, good boots, mosquito repellant, a sat phone, and a firearm capable is stopping a bear (just in case). ]

SUMMIT,
Site B
B Bty
5/59-5/79
Anchorage 25 miles E Anchorage, Chugach Mountains
Site Summit Handout Front, Back via Bruce Long
Site Summit handout 2 MByte
nikealaska web site, drainfreak IFC site, drainfreak Launcher site
Friends of Nike Site SUMMIT Webpage
- A YouTube of Summit

?The Army is trying to protect us from vandals by destroying the Nike site? Latest, another public meeting May 26, 2004 - OK - at least they are being public about it :-)) (Bureaucracy at work for us?)

Site Summit - some Launcher Area and launch pictures
[{Freak} (added March 2004) Largely the same condition mentiond by others, most of the structures are still intact with minor vandalism and grafitti. There's some evidence of military training excercises (spent ammunition and smoke grenades in the bunkers) as of August 2003. ]
[{Sparks, Billy} (added march 2003) See images and description of Summit. The trip back to the Summit was quite an experience for me, perhaps it was more impressionable than the very first time I went up to the Summit because I was going back 30 years in time. You are able to travel about half way up as far as the ski area but, from there we had to go through a locked gate. This area of the road showed little travel. It had tree growth over it until we reached the elevation above vegetation growth. By now I had already realized that everything as I new it, was going to be different.

As I reached the Summit I noticed again no hipar or lopar radars as I found missing when I first viewed it from Anchorage. The windows & doors are all boarded up, the building's siding partly missing and, the tin siding on the tracking radars missing as well due to the harsh weather. The motor pool was replaced by antennas & microwave dishes. There was just basically an old empty building with many memories. There was not much to look at just my stories seemed to be all there was.

I did get a peek inside the IFC area and it was all empty. The paint showed it's age and the many layers were peeling, I wondered which layer I had painted? The memories were many and I thought of all the guys who served there and wondered why it was all gone now. There was some talk about restoring it but, I wonder where the funds would come from. Perhaps the new missile program would have the best chance of it's rebirth or, maybe just knock it all down and just have a memorial built, just don't let it die.

I did go to A-Brty, it is inside a park which the Nordic Ski club runs now. The barracks and IFC area is just a cement pad but, there was still the Abar radar. We flew in and trained there sometimes. The launching area was now a weight room and, children were there training in one of the bunkers where the missiles use to lay!]
[{Proffitt, B} on the top of a mountain outside Ft. Rich (arctic valley ski area was close by)]
[{Gardner, K}It was listed last year in the National Register of Historic Sites and most of its structures remain intact, though the Alaska climate has very definitely taken its toll. ]
[{Runkle, G.}"Alaska Office of History and Archaeology, Site Summit Nike Hercules Missile Installation " (Fort Richardson: US Army Alaska, 1996), 16 p., paper. ASD (Headquarters, U.S. Army Alaska, 600 Richardson Drive, #6500, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-6500). Illustrated booklet produced for the Legacy Resource Management Program about a mountaintop missile base near Anchorage. ]
[{Warren, J} Btry B is located on Mt Gordon Lyon overlooking Anchorage, Elmendorf AFB, and Ft.Richardson. When I left Alaska in 1996 this property was still in posession of the Army.]
[{Scola, C} ... the buildings are still standing. The rails are gone. If you would like an informative pamphlet about the Site Summit Facility, call Dept of Army Headquarter, in Fort Richardson at (907) 384-3010. The pamphlet contains historical info and photos as well as recent photos.]

Murphy Dome Fairbanks, Alaska [{Smith, Larry} Murphy Dome is about 40 miles north west of Fairbanks. You can view details on http://murphydome.tripod.com. The Air Force radar and computers along with input from all the radar sites plotted all the air active in the northern Alaska airspace. The Air Force computers would compute the interception point between the Air Force fighter and the enemy aircraft. This data from the Air Force computers was displayed on the Army radar display to determine if the interception point was in the Nike lock on ring. If it was the Air Force Fighter would be called off and the target would be assigned to the nearest Nike battery. This could all be done without voice commands. All data and voice was via the microwave net work called White Alice. The southern Alaska airspace control center was Fire Island near Cook Inlet near Anchorage. Some interesting times with the earthquake March 1964 and JFK November 1963.
Larry L Smith, Capitola, CA, 408-206-6412

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Updated May 27, 2017